Whistlepig 10 Year Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye "Squealer"

Taste: 2 oz. neat in glen cairn glass, then 3 drops of water. Nose (4.75): Rich and aromatic. Crisp green apples, caramel, and brown sugar. The aroma is Fall-like and welcoming. Palate (4.5): Buttered rye bread, browned butter, apple, and nutmeg. Spice appears at the end. The texture is creamy and coating. This is a full-bodied, flavorful rye. Adding water diminishes it in my view and introduces some bitter notes. Finish (4.75): Nutmeg, cinnamon stick, apple pie spices. Long and lingering. Finishes with that buttered rye bread note. Overall: I'm not a big fan of the standard straight rye. I find it merely adequate as my primary criticism is that it's a bit thin and somewhat one-dimensional. This one is entirely different. It is rich, lush, buttery, and the aroma immediately brought to mind being in an apple orchard during harvest. There were so many delightful flavors that seemed to harmonize and stand out. Some context here- this is likely NOT MGP but from Alberta Canada and definitely bottled in Vermont. Among all the ornate labels on the bottle, there's suspiciously no mention of "distilled in/by" anywhere on the bottle. Don't let that in any way deter you. If this is the quality of single barrel, cask strength rye from our northern neighbors, then I'm in!

Floral aroma